Starship’s 12th test flight will debut the rocket’s Version 3 (V3) configuration, SpaceX’s largest and most powerful yet. [Credit: SpaceX]
Key Takeaways:
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starship Version 3 (V3), its most powerful and largest rocket to date, featuring significant upgrades like Raptor 3 engines and a new launch pad.
The upcoming Flight 12's primary goal is to test V3's enhanced performance and gather critical flight data, including deploying Starlink simulators and evaluating the heat shield in orbit.
V3 is crucial for SpaceX's future plans, aiming to enable increased Starlink deployments, full reusability, and in-space refueling capabilities vital for NASA's Artemis lunar missions.
The mission will focus on initial flight testing and data collection, forgoing a Super Heavy booster catch in favor of a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX is once again preparing to launch the largest, most powerful rocket in history.
The company in 2023 debuted the first iteration of Starship—the gargantuan spacecraft it is building to deploy satellites, create orbital data centers and, eventually, fly to the moon and Mars. It introduced the upgraded Version 2 (V2) in 2025.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
